According to researchers, women’s voices are often dismissed, discounted or missing altogether in public forums. It’s shown that women take up only one-quarter to one-third of the discussion, especially when important decisions are taking place.

Why? According to Princeton University professor Tali Mendelberg, women feel assured in their views and ideas, but expressing them aloud is still a confidence issue. This in turn shapes how they’re willing to speak, if they speak at all.

Now, a speaking and presentation coach in Asheville wants to help local women overcome these obstacles.

Barrie Barton, speaking coach and lead facilitator with Stand and Deliver Asheville, announced her Speaker’s Learning Lab for Fall 2017 will be exclusively for women, and will help them “close the confidence gap,” whether they’re facing a big presentation at the office or simply want to navigate everyday interactions with more purpose.

Close the Confidence Gap: Speak Authentically, Present Powerfully is a 6-week Speaker’s Learning Lab for Asheville and Buncombe County area women. Barton’s past Learning Labs, which were co-ed, have sold out. This one will be women-only and limited to 12 participants for best results. The Learning Lab begins Tuesday, September 12 at 6:00 pm in East Asheville and will run for six weeks.

“Barrie’s coaching and insights brought my public speaking to the next level,” states Beth Maczka, director of the YWCA in Asheville. “I may never love public speaking, but I do feel more confident in getting my message across.”

The Lab, which was originally designed for Asheville entrepreneurs who need to pitch and launch their business ventures, has grown to include participants from a wider spectrum: budding creatives, authors, professional speakers, careerists, freshly-promoted managers, and even new hires who simply want to be heard and have what they say hold lasting value and impact.

“Closing the Confidence Gap is a perfect fit for women who are ready to step in, speak up and be the leader they are so very capable of being.” states Ms. Barton.

The 12 women who participate in the Fall Learning Lab will go through six weeks of speaking and presentation training with real-time feedback and woman-to-woman support. They’ll also receive pre- and post-Lab videos of themselves so they can see their progress over this short time. Through weekly personalized recommendations and a handbook for developing speeches as well as writing and editing insights for presentations, each woman will gain her own personal toolbox to calm nervousness and optimize every conversation she has moving forward.

“Get a group of women together for self and professional development, and you are bound to see amazing results,” states Ms. Barton.

Close the Confidence Gap Learning Lab for Women is currently open for registration. Early registration is advised.

http://standanddeliverasheville.com/learning-lab/

When: Tuesdays, September 12 - October 24

Time: 6-7:30pm

Where: MindSpring Consulting, 966 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC

Cost: $295 early-bird before August 22 // $350 regular price

Limited to 12 women


For More Information: barrie@standanddeliverasheville or (828) 712-9654